Carlos Delcid, accused in fatal shooting of off-duty Monterey Park officer, appears in court
The 20-year-old man accused in the fatal shooting of Gardiel Solorio, an off-duty Monterey Park police officer, during a botched bank robbery earlier this week, made a brief court appearance Thursday.
Carlos Delcid is expected to answer to charges of murder, attempted robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The 20-year-old Delcid entered a Downey courtroom in a blue jumpsuit and a surgical mask, just hours after his booking photo was released in connection to Monday's incident, in which he is accused of shooting and killing Officer Solorio as he sat in his car outside a gym.
Delcid's public defender immediately asked to postpone Thursday's arraignment.
According to the District Attorney's Office, the motive was robbery.
Solorio had been officer at the Monterey Park Police Department for less than a month.
A growing memorial for the fallen officer has been moved outside the Monterey Park Police Station. Members of the San Gabriel PD held a moment of silence after they delivered a tribute.
"Monterey Park will always be my town...I apologize," said Louie Parra, as he teared up.
Parra grew up in Monterey Park, but now lives in Beaumont. He drove about 70 miles to pay his respects.
"This young man served his community, his family. Just senseless, and it angered me. It hurt," he said.
Court records show Delcid was arrested in February of this year. After pleading no contest to two felony charges, he was sentenced to 180 days in jail and four years formal probation, on March 10. The 20-year-old was released the next day for what jail records describe as a short sentence.
On Wednesday night, the DA released a statement that read in part:
"Any questions concerning the actual length of time spent in custody should be directed to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department."
Asked for comment, the sheriff's department released the following statement:
"The Sheriff's Information Bureau has received several inquiries regarding the criminal arrest and the release record of Suspect Carlos Daniel Delcid, the suspect charged with the murder of Monterey Park Police Officer Gardiel Solorio. LAPD arrested suspect Delcid on February 10th, 2022, for Spousal Assault, Burglary, Intimidating/Tampering with a Witness, False Imprisonment, and Assault. Due to a plea negotiation, the Los Angeles County District Attorney dropped three of the five Felony charges. On March 10, 2022, Suspect Delcid was sentenced to 4 years of formal probation and 180 days in county jail, with a credit for 58 days served. It was the District Attorney's decision to drop the serious, violent felony charges that would have rendered the suspect ineligible for early release."
In the meantime, Delcid is expected back in court on September 8. The 17-year-old getaway driver who was also arrested in the case, but authorities are not releasing information on him because he is a minor.